The Adecco Group appoints Australia’s ‘CEO for One Month’

The Adecco Group has appointed 22-year-old Roy Hanna as its latest Australia apprentice CEO for one month. In its fourth instalment, the company’s annual global ‘CEO for One Month’ program aims to bolster youth employability and their career prospects through highly effective work-based training.

The 2017 edition drew a record 2,100 applicants aged 18 to 26 from across the country, more than doubling last year’s 852 applicants. Globally, the program attracted almost 120,000 applicants from around the world, from which 48 in-country apprentice CEOs were selected.

As part of the program, the Macquarie University undergraduate will work alongside The Adecco Group Australia CEO, Ger Doyle, learning on the job and gaining rare insight into leadership and management of a complex, global organisation. Hanna, who’s pursuing a double degree in commerce and law, will have the opportunity to join internal operations reviews and external meetings with clients, national and international institutions, as well as shadow team leads across finance, marketing and HR, among others.

“Growing up in Western Sydney, a lot of youths tend to be at a disadvantage when it comes to access to higher education and job opportunities,” said Hanna. “Many do not get to attend university and may not even have a chance to apply for an opportunity like this, because they have other issues to worry about at home. Being able to do all of that makes me feel incredibly fortunate; it also makes all the hard work worth it.

“I’m thrilled and can’t wait to kick start the experience with The Adecco Group. There is so much to gain just by interacting with the leadership team and being able to watch and learn directly from them.

“I believe this will go a long way in building my confidence when speaking with senior executives in the future, as well as enabling me to better plan my progression up the corporate ladder.”

CEO for One Month was launched to equip candidates with the skills and knowledge not offered in the traditional model of education. The program’s goal is to complement students’ studies and give them an edge that few will possess by the time they leave university. At the end of the program, the top performing apprentice will get to work alongside The Adecco Group Global CEO, Alain Dehaze, for a month.

According to The Adecco Group, the decision to offer the role to Hanna was unanimous and based on a combination of three key factors – specifically his soft skills, volunteer work with the Western Sydney Community Legal Centre, as well as his determination to go against all odds to get to where he is today.

Doyle said, “Throughout every stage of the selection process, Roy has managed to consistently impress the entire Executive team – he is intelligent, articulate and confident, and to top that all off, he displayed high emotional intelligence, drive and had an engaging nature that stood out.

“The ongoing digital innovations and disruptions in the market are creating a perpetual shift towards in-demand skills. This means traditional skills are becoming outdated very quickly – what we need and are fostering today may no longer be relevant for the jobs of tomorrow.

“In this endless cycle, soft skills are more vital than ever. Someone with a great attitude and a curious mind will be able to adapt to new technical and hard skills anytime.”

‘CEO for One Month’ is part of Way to Work TM, launched in 2013 to tackle youth unemployment and skills shortages, develop young people’s employability, and help them prepare for the workplace of the future. Through the initiative, The Adecco Group provides young people with internships and apprenticeships (over 10,500 between 2015 and 2017), career guidance and training, and an opportunity to be the ‘CEO for One Month’.